About the product kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk product that is obtained from milk after fermentation. To prepare the drink, a special starter is added to the milk, which is a combination of beneficial bacteria and yeast. The starter contains:
- lactic acid streptococci - a source of active digestive enzymes;
- acetic acid bacteria - actively develop in milk and are capable of synthesizing vitamin B32;
- yeast and other living elements that feed on lactose, lactic acid sugar;
- vitamins A, D, E, K.
Important!
There are more B vitamins in kefir than in milk.
Live lactic acid cultures enter the pet’s body when consuming kefir. When moving through the digestive tract, some of them die from the aggressive effects of gastric juice, but the other part penetrates the intestines and has a probiotic effect, promoting the active development of beneficial microflora. In addition, kefir:
- stimulates appetite well;
- quenches thirst (but cannot and should not replace fresh water, which should always be in the cat’s bowl);
- activates intestinal motility;
- tones the nervous system and blood vessels;
- has an immunomodulatory effect.
Which fermented milk products are good for cats?
Delicious cheese made from natural products, an ideal treat for cats, especially if (soon) it is feta cheese or Adyghe cheese. This lactic acid product, being a source of proteins and calcium, essential for the cat’s skeletal system, should appear regularly in the pet’s diet. It takes more time to digest this product than cottage cheese, but at the same time it gives satiety for a long time. You need to buy low-fat cottage cheese - up to 5% fat, otherwise the kitten's gastrointestinal tract will have difficulty digesting it.
As for sweet curds or store-bought curds with additives, in which case some cats love them. The delicacy is really (and) still delicious, but it is very harmful, since sugar, artificial additives and fruit fillers damage the animal’s iron. If the owners have decided to introduce fermented milk products into the ration, they cannot do without the following recommendations:
- Kefir should not taste sweet, and in turn it should not contain salt, so salty kefir drinks are excluded from heaven and earth.
- If possible, you should use kefir with minimal fat content.
- For a kitten, the best project is milk purchased from a veterinary clinic, since it has an acceptable fat content and composition.
- There should be no need for sweet cheese in a cat’s diet; it is better to deny your beloved cat a treat than to then buy expensive anti-diarrhea medications and watch your pet suffer.
- If you can’t buy kefir, starter cultures are also a good option, since they contain lactic acid bacteria that help cleanse the stomach comfortably.
- When buying a lactic acid product, do not forget about the expiration dates.
Features of use
Kefir contains a large number of micro- and macroelements necessary for every living organism, including pets:
- calcium is a material for the “construction” of the skeleton, ensures the functioning of the nervous system and heart;
- fluoride – stimulates the functioning of the hematopoietic system;
- iron is one of the most important elements of blood and other components.
Considering the rich composition of nutrients in the fermented milk drink, we can say with confidence: kefir can be given to cats. And, since it is not whole milk, even with lactase deficiency, cats can drink kefir.
Important!
Some cats have an allergic reaction to cow's milk protein. Since the basis of kefir is whole milk, kefir can also have a negative effect on the pet’s body, manifested by skin reactions and itching.
Guarantee of health
The gastrointestinal tract of animals is more sensitive than that of people, and they definitely need to choose a balanced diet, because the pet’s health, mood, and appearance depend on it. In specialized stores you can find a lot of healthy treats, nutritional supplements and complementary foods for cats, as well as balanced formulations. To choose the right food based on breed, age and health status, many turn to specialists for help.
As a rule, only dry food in a cat’s diet is quite enough. You can pamper your pet with canned cat food and other treats, but it is not advisable to give your cat natural products.
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How to properly include kefir in a cat's menu
Kefir is a food, not a drink. It contains many nutrients, which strengthen the immune system and slow down the aging of the body. Thanks to the calcium contained in the drink, your cat will have beautiful fur, strong teeth and claws. However, you need to give your cat kefir correctly.
When choosing milk products for your cat, you should pay attention to their fat content. Pets should not be given fermented milk products with a fat content of more than 9%: not all animals tolerate them well. In sensitive cats, high-fat kefir and sour cream can cause loose stools. For the same reason, it is not recommended to give cats sour cream, cream and yoghurts with sugar and fruit. The optimal product is kefir with a fat content of 3.5%.
You should not give your pet fresh kefir just brought from the store. It contains ethyl alcohol, which is very harmful to the animal's body. It takes at least 48-72 hours for it to evaporate, so the purchased package must be opened and kept in this form for at least two days.
Kefir contains a lot of carbohydrates (4 g per 100 g of product), so it is not recommended to give it often to animals prone to obesity. This is a complete food, but giving kefir often is also not worth it. 2-3 times a week is enough, and your pet’s body will receive the required amount of beneficial microorganisms and nutrients.
Cats often do not know when to stop when it comes to their favorite treat. But for an adult animal, a serving of 50 g is enough, otherwise intestinal upset is possible. You cannot replace a cat’s complete diet with kefir or other fermented milk products: they should only be useful additions to a balanced diet.
Important!
Do not add salt or sugar to kefir. These products are strictly prohibited for cats.
Older animals digest dairy and fermented milk products less well. Consuming kefir can cause diarrhea or flatulence in your cat. In these cases, it is better not to give her fermented milk products.
conclusions
Thus, if a cat drinks kefir with pleasure, it can be given - there are no special objections to introducing kefir into a cat’s diet, but this product can only serve as a supplement and not the basis of natural nutrition. You must understand that despite all the benefits, this product does not contain all the substances necessary for the animal in sufficient quantities and cannot replace meat.
If a cat eats high-quality industrial food, then it does not need any additives; moreover, they are even undesirable, as they upset the balance of nutrients.
The effect of “young” and “old” kefir
Depending on the age of the fermented milk product, it affects the body in different ways. If no more than three days have passed since production, it is called young and can have a laxative effect on the body and normalize intestinal function. "Old" kefir - more than three days old - has the opposite effect and may be useful for ongoing diarrhea.
Important!
Two-day kefir should not be given to a cat with a peptic ulcer during an exacerbation, and three-day kefir should not be given to a cat with increased acidity of gastric juice and chronic kidney disease.
Important!
A mild laxative medicine can be made from kefir by adding 1 teaspoon of any odorless vegetable oil to half a glass of the drink.
Another important point is that three-day kefir accumulates a huge number of different microorganisms, some of which will be dangerous for pets. And if the cat has not finished eating it, leaving kefir in the bowl is prohibited - within a few hours pathogenic microflora will actively develop in it. Therefore, you should make it a rule: give it a little at a time, and if the cat has not eaten the kefir, you need to remove it.
Number of feedings for the kitten
How many times a day should a kitten be fed at 1, 2, 3 months? Answer: often, but little by little, giving relief to the stomach. The age of the pet plays an important role. The breaks between meals in older animals increase. How often should you feed your kitten?
Here's an example diagram:
- 4 - 8 weeks: 6 - 8 times a day.
- 2 months: 5 times a day.
- 3 months: 4 times.
- 4 - 5 months to a year: 3 times. Night feedings are cancelled.
- 13 - 15 months: 2 times.
Some owners, when asked “how much to feed a kitten,” make the mistake of reducing the number of meals. The reason is being busy at work. There should be no reductions; stick to the proposed scheme. Having trouble with frequent feedings? Use the “free method”: leave a little kefir or soft food so that your pet can satisfy his hunger.
Stages of the disease
Stage one. Initial.
At this stage, the symptoms of renal failure appear blurred and dim. The main place is occupied by the symptoms of the disease that caused PN.
Stage two. Oligoanuric.
Characterized by complete or partial cessation of urination. The animal is depressed, refuses food, and drinks large amounts of liquid.
The general body temperature may slightly increase by 0.5-1 degrees or be decreased.
Blood pressure is increased. Uremia develops, which is why the pet experiences vomiting, drowsiness, weakness, tachycardia, impaired inhalation and exhalation (shortness of breath), edema, anemia and general intoxication of the body.
Stage three. Restoration of diuresis.
Occurs in sick animals whose treatment was started in a timely manner. Urination is gradually restored, traces of blood are still visible in the urine, and the pet continues to feel weak and consume excess fluid.
Stage four. Recovery.
Complete recovery is observed 2-4 months after the start of treatment, after 2-3 weeks the symptomatic manifestation of the disease goes away.
Benefits for weight loss
Ryazhenka can be used as one of the main products for fasting days. If you think that cleansing will not harm your body, then build your menu on small portions of vegetables and fish, and also add 3-5 glasses of fermented baked milk per day. Try to choose a drink with low fat content.
Personally, I prefer gradual weight loss, which is gentler on the body than intense fasting. Just drink a glass of sour milk as a snack, or instead of a heavy dinner. This will speed up metabolism, remove toxins, and the energy value of fermented baked milk will help satisfy hunger.
